Nigeria’s Response to COVID-19: Lockdown Policy and Human Rights Violations

ABSTRACT The rapid escalation of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) elicited varying degrees of responses from governments. The escalation and community spread of the COVID-19 pandemic despite initial responses resulted in a lockdown strategy in some countries. Nigeria embraced a lockdown policy, albeit with some socioeconomic stimulus measures to cushion the resultant economic hardship. The inadequacy of the stimulus measures led to lockdown violations and human rights abuses. This study establishes the nexus between Nigeria’s lockdown policy response to the COVID-19 pandemic, human rights violations, and the role of Nigerian civil society in mainstreaming civil rights protection during this public health emergency.